210 Nalions lately become Literary. [Ch. XXVI. 



and purchased a country seat and farm in the 

 neighbourhood of that town, where he resided 

 about two years and a half: and though va- 

 rious circumstances discouraged him from pro- 

 secuting his original design, and induced him to 

 return to Europe without eiYecting it, yet his 

 visit was by no means without its utility. The 

 presence and conversation of a man so illustrious 

 for talents, learning, virtue, and social attractions, 

 could not fail of giving a spring to the literary 

 diligence and ambition of many who enjoyed his 

 acquaintance. He visited the various 1 iterary in- 

 stitutions vyhich came within his reach, and wrote 

 and spoke in their favour, as opportunities were 

 afforded, and their exigencies required. lie exer- 



ans to Christianity. The plan was favourably received^ not only 

 by his friends, but also by the government. Ho obtained a 

 charter for the proposed college, in which he was named as the 

 first president; and also a parliamentary grant of 20000/. ster- 

 ling for its support. In the month of February, in the year 1729, 

 he came to America for the purpose of putting his plan into ex- 

 ecution, and brought with him his lady, whom he had married 

 but a few months before. Soon after his arrival he became con- 

 vinced that the plan of establishing the proposed college in the 

 Bermuda isles was by no means an eligible one; he therefore 

 \vrote to his friends in England, requesting them to obtain an al- 

 teration in the charter, fixing the institution on some part of th«, 

 American continent (which would probably have been New 

 York), and soliciting the immediate payment of the sum which 

 had been granted for its establishment. Findjng, however, after 

 a delay of two years and a half, that there was no probability of 

 the money being paid, and considering his plan as impracticable, 

 he embarked at Boston in September 1731, and returned to En- 

 gland. In 1733 he was promoted to the bishopric of Cloyne, 

 and in January 1753 he died in the city of Oxford, universally 

 respected and lamented. While he resided at Rhode Island, he 

 coHiposed his Alciphron, or Minute Philosopher. 



